Waymo just closed one of the largest private tech funding rounds in history. The Alphabet-owned robotaxi company has nearly finalized a $16 billion raise that values it at $110 billion - more than double its $45 billion valuation from just over a year ago. The round brings blue-chip investors like Sequoia Capital, Dragoneer, and DST Global onto the cap table, signaling Wall Street's growing confidence that autonomous vehicles are finally ready for prime time. With over 20 million trips completed and operations expanding from San Francisco to Miami, Waymo is betting big that self-driving tech can scale into a multi-billion dollar transportation network.
Waymo is about to make autonomous driving history - not on the road, but in the boardroom. The Alphabet subsidiary has nearly closed a staggering $16 billion funding round that will value the robotaxi pioneer at $110 billion, according to the Financial Times. It's one of the largest private tech funding rounds ever, and it signals that big money is finally betting on self-driving cars becoming a mainstream reality.
The numbers tell a remarkable story of investor confidence. Just 15 months ago, Waymo raised a $5.6 billion Series C at a $45 billion valuation. Now the company has more than doubled that valuation despite operating in just a handful of cities and generating roughly $350 million in annual recurring revenue. That means investors are paying a premium for potential, not profits - a clear sign they believe Waymo has cracked the code on autonomous vehicles where so many others have failed.
Alphabet isn't just cheerleading from the sidelines. The tech giant is putting its money where its moonshots are, contributing more than three-quarters of the $16 billion raise. That's a powerful vote of confidence from a parent company that's seen plenty of experimental projects come and go through its , where Waymo was originally incubated. The substantial commitment suggests Alphabet sees Waymo as far more than a speculative bet - it's treating the robotaxi unit as a core pillar of its future business.
